“Doesn’t appear like anybody’s done a lick of work. They’re lettin’ the crops go.”

“I know. And after all the sweat we put in plowin’ and plantin’. The Lord can’t abide slothful ways. He’ll sooner or later fix them Oldham boys.”

Tanner declared, “But He generally needs some help. That’s what I keep tryin’ to tell Rusty.”

Shanty said, “If the Lord needs help, it’ll come. He’ll send out a call, and the right man will hear. He’s got mysterious ways.”

Rusty had been asleep a short time when the dog set up a racket. From out in the darkness someone yelled, “Hello the house!”

Shanty’s voice answered from one of the open windows that as yet had no glass. “Who’s out yonder?”

“Farley Brackett. All right if I come in?”

“Come ahead. Ain’t no police here.”

Rusty sensed reluctance in Shanty’s voice. Neither Farley nor his father had shown him any respect.

Farley led his horse up to the dying embers of Shanty’s outdoor fire. “You got anything a starved-out man could eat? Them state police been houndin’ me so bad I ain’t et since the day before yesterday.”

Rusty said, “There’s still some venison.”

Farley whirled in surprise, drawing his pistol. “Who in the hell? . . .”

“Rusty Shannon. You don’t need the gun.”

Farley holstered the weapon. “I come mighty close to shootin’ you. Ain’t good manners to walk up behind a man in the dark. Bad for the health, too.”

“We saw you stop for a drink of water at my place. Saw the posse that was after you.”

“They ain’t really wantin’ to catch me and have an open fight, especially Clyde Oldham. He wants to dry-gulch me where I wouldn’t have a chance.”

“Why don’t you hightail it for Mexico, or maybe Arizona?”

“Been wantin’ to, but my pockets are empty. My old daddy has some gettin’-away money waitin’ for me, but they keep a guard around his place so that I dassn’t try to go in.” He turned to Shanty. “That’s why I’ve come to your place. I need a favor from you.”

Rusty said crisply, “I don’t see where Shanty owes you any favors. You tried once to run him off of his place.”

“I have repented my ways.”

Shanty asked, “What’s the favor?”

“My old daddy works several nig—fellers like you. I don’t think the police would take much notice if another one was to show up there. It’s hard to tell you people apart. My daddy could give you the money, and you could fetch it here to me. I’d pay you for your trouble.”

Shanty said, “Your old daddy don’t have no use for the likes of me. How come you think he’d trust me with his money?”

“I’d write a note for you to give him.”